Local News - The Morning Sun

‘Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened’

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Sherri Stephens began her tenure with the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) nearly a decade ago, and after nine years of service to the local non-profit, … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 7/26/24

Lt. Col. Jeff Scott, his wife Michelle, and their two children, Rowan and Helena, are on their way to his new appointment at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.

A Pittsburg son accepts prestigious billet at USMA

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — In the middle of a ‘cannonball run’ from Washington state to New York, Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Scott stopped over in his hometown of Pittsburg this week to visit … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 7/26/24

Initial concept drawing of The Balkan and Canary Lounge at Fourth and Grand. This is the first drawing and is subject to change as the project develops.

Blue Spoon presents to city commission

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Brenda Davis and Christina Oberle, owners of the Blue Spoon in downtown Pittsburg, presented their idea for a new speakeasy and food truck park at Fourth and Grand Streets. … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 7/25/24

City Manager delivers financial forecast

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Pittsburg City Manager Daron Hall and Director of Finance Allison Ramsey delivered the city’s five-year financial forecast to the city commissioners Tuesday … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 7/25/24

Ben Fowler, owner of Main Street Axe Company, demonstrates how to properly throw an axe during the City of Pittsburg Parks & Recreation Department’s Corporate Challenge axe throwing competition last year.

‘It’s back! Bigger and better’

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Registration is now open for the City of Pittsburg Parks & Recreation Department’s Corporate Challenge, offering employees, managers and volunteers from companies in … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 7/23/24

PHS students Dominik Bach, left, and Noah Niederklein have yet to begin their college careers, but already are working to change education.

Meeting of the minds

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Individually, people can do great things. But put two exceptional minds together and the result can be amazing. That’s the case with two Pittsburg High School friends who have been collaborating on a project that would use artificial intelligence (AI) to improve education. more

By Ron Womble/[email protected] | 6/13/24

Carl Brenner, chief of interpretation and resource management at the Fort Scott National Historic Site as well as the acting superintendent, gave the opening remarks during Thursday’s Special Naturalization Ceremony.

Fort Scott National Historic Site hosts annual naturalization ceremony

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FORT SCOTT, Kan. — Nearly one hundred people raised their right hands and took the oath to become U.S. citizens during the annual Special Naturalization Ceremony at Fort Scott National Historic … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 9/15/23

Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson (R-Andover) speaks with SEK residents on Thursday at the Homer Cole Senior Community Center in Pittsburg. Senator Masterson spoke on a variety of issues in a Q-and-A session, including taxes, the Kansas Corporate Commission’s new powerline, and the difficulties in campaigning in today’s political environment.

Senate leadership visits Pittsburg

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson (R-Andover) spoke with SEK residents on Thursday at the Homer Cole Senior Community Center. The purpose of his visit was to gain support … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 9/15/23

Pittsburg Multigenerational Choir director and Pittsburg High School vocal music teacher Susan Laushman prepares choristers for its upcoming concert, which will be held at 7 p.m. on Oct. 30 at Pittsburg’s Memorial Auditorium.

Pittsburg Multi-Gen Choir prepares for concert

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — With a concert slated for late October, choir members of the Pittsburg Multigenerational Chorus have been practicing at Pittsburg High School every Wednesday and Friday since … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 9/14/23

Approximately 30 teams from across the southeast Kansas region gathered at the Red Iron Activity Center in Columbus on Wednesday for the inaugural Southeast Regional Senior Unified Olympics where athletes competed in several events from speed walking to cornhole.

SOKS hosts first-ever Senior Unified Olympics

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COLUMBUS, Kan. — A first-of-its-kind Special Olympics Kansas (SOKS) event made its debut this week in Columbus. The 'Southeast Regional Senior Unified Olympics' was held Wednesday … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected]\ | 9/14/23

The Finishing Touch recently put the final touches on its new façade.

The Finishing Touch gets fresh look

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PITTSBURG, Kan. After debating a remodel for decades, The Finishing Touch building finally got a long-awaited facelift. The Finishing Touch Manager Beth Bradshaw, daughter to owners … more

By Antjea Wolff / [email protected] | 9/13/23

Area residents and their animals march in the 2019 Weir Homecoming parade.

Small town celebrates big

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WEIR, Kan. — The City of Weir was founded in 1872 by T.M. Weir of Pennsylvania, who set aside 40 of his 160 acres to build a town. During the city’s boom, nearly 3,000 residents enjoyed … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 9/13/23

An American flag hangs from atop the City of Pittsburg Fire Station No. 1, located at 911 W. Fourth St. The local fire department displayed the flag to honor the memory of nearly 3,000 lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, as Monday marked 22 years since the terrorist attacks.

‘We remember’

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An American flag hangs from atop the City of Pittsburg Fire Station No. 1, located at 911 W. Fourth St. The local fire department displayed the flag to honor the memory of nearly 3,000 lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, as Monday marked 22 years since the terrorist attacks. more

9/12/23

Nearly 40 goats were turned out at Lincoln Park on Monday to help get some overgrowth under control. Kept in place by a fence, the goats are better able to handle certain areas of the park that may be too dangerous for humans.

Goats on the move in Lincoln Park

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Nearly 40 goats were released in Lincoln Park on Monday to help the Pittsburg Parks and Recreation Department control some overgrowth along the creek north of Lincoln Center. … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 9/12/23

Sheriff Danny Smith’s Jeep, complete with a giant duck, sits atop a flatbed at Saturday’s Jeep Derby. Several sponsors donated prizes to raffle during a fundraising event for Special Olympics Kansas.

Duck-n-Jeep Derby raises funds for SOKS

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — It began with a simple act of kindness. A Jeep owner in Ontario, Canada, decided to brighten someone’s day and placed a small rubber duck on the fender of another Jeep. … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 9/12/23

At Albert Pouch Park in Cherokee, the Cherokee Ruritan Club hosted its annual bean feed on Friday as part of this year’s Cherokee Fall Festival, which continues into Saturday. Saturday’s events start at 9 a.m. with a car show in downtown Cherokee.

Rootin’ Tootin’ Good Time

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At Albert Pouch Park in Cherokee, the Cherokee Ruritan Club hosted its annual bean feed on Friday as part of this year’s Cherokee Fall Festival, which continues into Saturday. more

9/9/23

The Insley Manufacturing Corporation Model K-12 dragline and bucket recently donated to MHM in Franklin. This dragline will be on the museum grounds in Franklin.

Miners’ Hall Museum receives new dragline

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FRANKLIN, Kan. — The Miners Hall Museum in Franklin is expecting a new exhibit to be delivered soon. Donated by Mission Clay Products, an Insley Model K-12 dragline will grace the museum … more

Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 9/9/23

An attendee at Wednesday’s Back 2 School Bash, hosted by First Christian Church in Pittsburg, hits a bullseye on the dunk tank target as several kids showed off their arm during the event.

Fellowship and fun

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Children and their families gathered at First Christian Church in Pittsburg on Wednesday for its annual Back 2 School Bash. more

9/8/23

An officer with the Joplin Police Department will not be charged after firing a shot during a barricade and hostage incident in Baxter Springs that resulted in the death of two-year-old Clesslynn J. Crawford. During the incident, which occurred on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 340 Wyandotte Ave., Eli Crawford, 37, shot and killed Taylor D. Shutte, 27, of Webb City, Missouri, before barricading himself inside a pull behind camping trailer with his daughter and firing over 90 shots at law enforcement officers.

Joplin police officer will not be charged in toddler’s death

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Kan. — There will be no charges filed against an officer with the Joplin Police Department who fired a shot that resulted in the death of a two-year-old girl during a barricade … more

Staff Reports / [email protected] | 9/7/23

Area businesses gather in the Northeast High School gymnasium on Wednesday for Independence Community College’s Rural Outreach Career Fair that featured presentations, career pathway opportunities as well as possible internships or apprenticeships.

Students, businesses gather for Rural Outreach Career Fair

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ARMA, Kan. — On Wednesday, students at Northeast High School as well as students from across southeast Kansas received a head start on their future at Independence Community College’s … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 9/7/23